Sometimes, even while you’re wearing sunglasses, the sun makes it hard to see. You might find yourself squinting while driving, on the ski slope, or near water. That’s glare at work.

The sun’s harmful rays bounce off smooth, shiny surfaces and into your eyes. Polarized lenses help block out the blinding glare. If you’ve tried these sunglasses before, the difference between them and traditional sunglasses is easy to notice.

“Polarized sunglasses are designed to reduce glare, improve contrast, and make vision sharper,” says David Teed, O.D., an optometrist who practices at America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in McKinney, Texas.

But are polarized sunglasses better for your eyes? And are they right for everyone? Learn more about the advantages of these popular sunglasses — and if they’re the right fit for you. 

Looking for a stylish bargain that has you covered both indoors and out in the sun? Our popular two-pair offer means you can choose regular frames and sunglasses — and save! Browse our new sunglasses collections here. 

What are polarized sunglasses — and how do they work?

Polarized lenses have a chemical coating on them that filters light in a specific way. The lenses only let vertical light through, while blocking out light that approaches your eyes horizontally. That includes light reflected off uneven surfaces like car hoods and bodies of water, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Because of this specialized filter, polarized lenses help objects appear crisper and clearer, Dr. Teed explains. Things will look a bit darker, but they will also look more detailed.

Another plus for polarized lenses is that they can help reduce eyes train. But, he adds, so can other types of lens coating.

Do I need polarized lenses?

While polarized lenses have many pros, they also have a few cons, including a higher price tag than traditional sunglasses. And according to Dr. Teed, not everyone needs the priciest shades. Here are his recommendations:

Consider polarized lenses if you are active in:

• Outdoor sports, such as fishing or hunting. “Fishermen should wear polarized glasses, no question,” Dr. Teed says.
• Ball sports, such as golf or baseball, where sharp vision is crucial. “Polarized glasses provide wearers with the best enhanced contrast,” Dr. Teed says.
• Snow sports. Snow reflects bright sunlight into the eyes. “Polarized lenses cut out the excess light bouncing off the surface of the snow, enhancing sharpness,” he explains.

Skip traditional polarized lenses if you need to look at a screen often. Traditional polarized lenses can make instrument panels (such as an LCD display) appear blank, Dr. Teed cautions. To see this in action (safely), try wearing polarized sunglasses while looking at your laptop, cell phone, or smartwatch.

Instead, you may want to ask your America’s Best optician about Transitions™ XTRActive® Polarized and Transitions™ Drivewear® lenses. These newer polarized lenses adapt to light when you’re driving or viewing a digital device. (Learn more about these options in “What are the best polarized sunglasses?”, below.) 

Your optometrist can help you decide whether polarized lenses are right for you. Use your annual eye exam as an opportunity to mention your job, hobbies, and lifestyle, as well as your desired price range. The optometrist is there to answer questions and help preserve the health of your eyes.

“Your eye doctor will be curious about how they can recommend glasses that help your eyes see and feel better, to ultimately improve your daily routine,” Dr. Teed says.

Recommended reading: How to Choose the Best Lenses for Your Sunglasses 

Do polarized sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun?

No. Compared with other sunglasses, polarized lenses can help you see better in high-glare situations, but that’s not the most important feature sunglasses should have, says Dr. Teed.

When it comes to the health of your eyes, your top concern should be that your sunglasses offer complete protection against ultraviolet (UV) light. The eye care specialists at America’s Best can show you the latest sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection.

“UV light causes damage to the eyes,” says Dr. Teed. “Excessive UV exposure can cause anything from corneal burns to retinal damage or skin cancers on the eyelid and cataract formation.”

Adding polarization to UV blocking means you’ll have dual protection for your eyes.

You can learn more about the best ways to protect your eyes from the sun by reading Sunglasses for Eye Health: The Definitive Buyers Guide.

Can prescription sunglasses be polarized? 

Yes. Any pair of prescription sunglasses can be polarized. As a first step, ask at your next eye exam if you can compare polarized and non-polarized lenses to make sure they will work for you. Then simply request polarized lenses when you place your order.  

What are the best polarized sunglasses? 

You can add polarized lens coating to any lens at America’s Best — it’s one of the lens choices your optician will walk you through.  

Two other great options for polarized sunglasses include: 

Transitions™ XTRActive® Polarized: These lenses offer polarization plus light-sensitive technology for optimal clarity and vibrant colors. With 100% UVA and UVB ray blocking, they provide crisp, sharp vision outdoors, achieving 90% polarization when they darken in bright light conditions. These protect your eyes from indoor blue light without polarization or darkening, ensuring you can enjoy your screen time. 

Transitions™ Drivewear®If you drive a long commute, these may be your ideal shades. Transitions Drivewear sunglasses adjust to varying light indoors. When driving, they cut glare for clear vision. Transitions Drivewear glasses combine polarized and photochromic technologies to boost contrast and color perception while blocking 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

What other lens options should I consider?

If you don’t think polarized sunglasses are right for you, ask your optometrist about photochromic lenses (which go from clear to dark depending on the surrounding light) and anti-glare coatings, suggests Dr. Teed.

Photochromic lenses. These lenses offer UV protection and automatically adjust their darkness depending on the amount of light in the area. (The most well-known photochromic lenses are Transitions®.)

“They do not get as dark as a traditional pair of sunglasses and do take a little bit of time to change from clear into sunglasses and back again,” Dr. Teed says.

Photochromatic lenses have a slight tint, even indoors, which some people might view as a drawback.

Anti-glare coating. This anti-glare coating is good for everyday encounters with the sun, such as going in and out of buildings on your way to work or when running errands. In addition to reducing glare, they help improve clarity.

“I try to give patients the best bang for their buck, so I recommend that everyone get an anti-glare coating on both their sunglasses and their regular eyeglasses. If you do, you will never leave anti-glare off again,” Dr. Teed says. (You do not need anti-glare if you opt for polarized sunglasses.)

Why polarized sunglasses? Polarized sunglasses should be one of the options you consider if you play outdoor sports, or spend time looking at a screen. But they should not be viewed as superior sunglasses. “The most important thing is protecting your eyes with UV protection,” Dr. Teed says.

Press play to learn more about the importance of protecting your eyes from the sun year-round: